Garment alteration

ABSTRACT

A garment and method for adjusting a length of a garment having an adhesive that had been attached to a first area of the garment, and by activating such adhesive with heat and pressure and affixing a first area of the garment to a second area of the garment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/720,481 that was filed on Sep. 27, 2005, and that is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to alteration of garments, and particularly to aids in the alteration of hems, sleeves, cuffs, and other clothing areas that may be adjusted to fit a garment to a wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alteration or other customization of clothing to fit a wearer may typically include for example lengthening or shortening of hems, sleeves, pant legs and shoulders. Other areas of a garment may also be altered. Typically, alteration of a garment is performed by a tailor or other sewing expert. Frequently, alterations require a wearer to be fitted by a tailor who may mark the area to be altered to reflect the desired length of the garment. The tailor may then adjust the front or back of the sleeves, cuff or other area of the garment to match the desired length. Such adjustment may also require expertise. For example, certain styles of sleeves require that the sleeve be of uniform length at the anterior and posterior of the sleeve. Implementation of other altering subtleties may also require expertise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include a garment having a first area of a hem, cuff or leg, and a second area of such hem, cuff or leg, and an adhesive attached to the first area in a first activation, where a length of the garment is adjusted by folding the first area to meet the second area, and attaching with the adhesive the first area to the second area in a second activation of the adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive is activated by an application of heat, pressure and/or moisture. In some embodiments, the adhesive is attached to the first area in a strip on a circumference of the first area. In some embodiments, the first strip is covered by a shield that is removable before attaching the first area to the second area. In some embodiments, an instruction for use of the adhesive is printed on the shield such as for example “fold under and iron here”In some embodiments, the adhesive includes more than one adhesive, where a first adhesive is in a strip that follows the circumference of the first area, and a second adhesive follows a second circumference of the first area. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes an adhesive thread. In some embodiments, a length of the garment may be re-adjusted by detaching the first area from the second area by for example an application of heat to the adhesive, and reattaching the first area to another area with the adhesive by another application of heat. In some embodiments, a length indicator to measure a length of the adjusted garment may be attached to the garment.

In some embodiments, a method may include adjusting a length of a garment by folding a first area of the garment to face a second area of the garment, activating an adhesive already attached to the first area of the garment in a prior activation of the adhesive, and attaching the first area to the second area by way of the adhesive. In some embodiments, activating includes applying heat, moisture or/and pressure to the adhesive.

In some embodiments, a protective shield may be removed from the adhesive. In some embodiments, activating may include activating more than one adhesive, a first adhesive in a strip that follows a circumference of a first area of the garment, and a second of follows a second circumference of the first area In some embodiments, the second adhesive may be already attached to the first area by sewing. In some embodiments, the garment may be re-adjusted by detaching the first area from the second area by an application of heat to the adhesive, and reattaching with the adhesive the first area to another area by another application of heat. Some embodiments may include measuring a length of the garment on an indicator on the garment.

Some embodiments may include a garment having a first area, a second area, and more than one adhesive attached to the first area, where a length of the garment is adjusted by folding the first area to meet the second area, and attaching with an adhesive the first area to the second area in an activation of an adhesive. Some embodiments may include a length indicator on an inside of the garment

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding, analogous or similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of a hem/cuff of a garment with an adhesive and marked with alteration measurements, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual illustration of a hem/cuff of a garment with two or more adhesives materials and marked with alteration measurements, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments of the invention.

Reference is made to FIG. 1, a conceptual illustration of a hem/cuff of a garment with an adhesive and marked with alteration measurements, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, an inside of a sleeve, pants leg 100, hem or other area of a garment may include an adhesive 104 such as for example a glue that may be applied in for example a strip or other shape along an inside circumference of for example a pants leg 100 or cuff. In some embodiments, a strip, dots or other shape of adhesive 104 may be applied for example before the panels of a pants leg 100 are sewn together to form the pants leg 100, though the glue may be applied at other stages in a construction of a garment. In some embodiments, adhesive 104 may be applied using a stencil form having an area cut out in the shape that the adhesive 104 is to take. The stencil may cover the garment panel, and a heated or otherwise activated adhesive 104 may for example be brushed over the cut out area. In a preferred embodiment, adhesive 104 is attached to a lower portion 106 of the pants leg 100 or other area of the garment at or near the end of the length of the area of the garment. For example, in some embodiments, adhesive 104 may be applied slightly less than 1 cm. from an end of pants leg 100 so that for example adhesive 104 does not spread out from the end of the garment onto for example an iron or other surface when adhesive 104 is activated.

In some embodiments, an inside of the garment such as pants leg 100 may be marked with an indication of a length of the pants leg 100. For example, markings on an inside of pants leg 100 may be marked with a length of an inseam of pants leg 100. In some embodiments, markings 110 for an indication of a length may be applied using a die, a heat applique or other means of marking a garment that will be visible on only one side of the garment, without such markings 110 showing through to the other side of the is garment. In some embodiments, the length markings 110 may indicate the length of the garment on points of an upper portion 108 of pants leg 100 when lower portion 106 is folded under and brought into contact with upper portion 108. In some embodiments, length markings may be indicated on an outside of a garment, such as for example by a removable tape that may be attached to the garment.

In operation, a user may fold lower portion 106 of pants leg 100 or other end-area of a garment under and inside, so that lower portion 106 having adhesive 104, faces and is brought into contact with upper portion 108 of pants leg 100. A user may measure the length of pants leg by way of markings 110 or on a wearer's leg to set a desired length. The fold of pants leg 100 at which the desired length is achieved may be pinned, held or otherwise temporarily secured while adhesive is activated so that lower portion 106 is attached to upper portion 108.

In some embodiments, adhesive 104 may be activated by all, any or some of heat, moisture, and pressure, such as for example the forces applied by an iron such as a stream iron. Other ways of activating adhesive 104 are possible.

In some embodiments, adhesive 104 may be shaped as a strip approximately 1 cm. in width and may follow a circumference of pants leg 100. In some embodiments, adhesive 104 may not be applied to an area of a sewn seam of a garment such as for example one or more seams that connect panels of the garment. In some embodiments adhesive 104 may be covered by a protective pull-off strip 112 that may protect adhesive 104 until it is ready to be activated. Pull strip 112 may be pulled off for example immediately prior to activating adhesive 104. Pull strip 112 may in some embodiments have printed upon it one or more instructions for the use or activation of adhesive 104.

Other ways of indicating length markings 110 on a garment are possible. For example, markings 110 may include a series of circular, elliptical or other shaped lines. Such circles, lines, perforations or other markings 110 may be marked at various intervals along the inside of the sleeve, pants leg 100 or other garment section. For example, an inside of a pants leg 100 may be marked with an indicator line for example each centimeter or half-inch. The marking 110 may show a measurement in for example inches or centimeters to indicate the length of the garment when adjusted to such marking 110. For example, a wearer may know that he generally fits pants with for example a 32 inch length. The inside of pants leg 100 may be have markings 110 that show the length of the pants when altered to each marking 110. In some embodiments, a perforation in the cloth or garment along a marking 110 may ease the folding, cutting or other adjustment of the cloth to match the marking 110.

In some embodiments marking 110 may be marked with one or more paths to show for example a pattern for a straight cuff or an angled cuff. Other patterns are possible. In some embodiments, a marking 110 may follow a path that is irregular or that is other than circular. For example, a marking in a shoulder of a garment may be formed in an oblong shape that may approximate the shape of a shoulder seam of a garment. Other shapes are possible.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, a conceptual illustration of a cuff of a garment 200 with two or more adhesives and marked with alteration measurements, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, a second adhesive 206 may be attached to lower portion 106 of pants leg 100. Adhesive 206 may be configured or included in for example a glue thread that may be sewn in for example overlooking stitches into for example an end of a garment. In some embodiments, second adhesive 206 may be affixed lower than first adhesive 204. In some embodiments, second adhesive 106 may not be covered by a protective covering 202. A second adhesive 206 may in some embodiments be applied in the same area as a first adhesive 204 and may be configured other than as a glue thread. In some embodiments, first adhesive 204 and second adhesive 206 may have different and complementing properties. For example, first adhesive 204 may retain more of its adhesive properties when exposed to wetness such as those encountered in a laundry cycle, while second adhesive 206 may better retain its properties when exposed to the chemicals present in a dry cleaning process.

In some embodiments, adhesive 204 may be included in a tape that may be overlaid by a user along the line of an indicator 208. Such tape adhesive 204 may be or include for example a two sided tape that may be heat or steam activated, such as may be done by ironing, as such adhesives are known in the art. In some embodiments, adhesive 204 may be or include a temporary adhesive such as for example one or more Velcro™ lines that may adhere to a matching Velcro line on for example the inside of a pants leg 100. In some embodiments adhesive 204 may be openable and re-fastenable, so that a user may adjust the length or fit of a garment even after the garment is initially customized to his measurements. In some embodiments, a male side of a Velcro strip may be attached to for example a lower portion 106 of pants leg 100, and a female Velcro area may be attached to an upper portion 108 of pants leg 100. The male and female sides may be revered between the upper portion 108 and lower portion 106. In some embodiments, a female side of the Velcro may be attached in a band or in small spots or isolated areas onto pants leg 100 in the area of where the end of pants leg 100 will be attached to upper portion, 108. Other adhesives 204 may be or include for example a magnet, zipper, ziplock, pin or other fastener suitable for holding cloth together.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, a flow diagram of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In block 300, a length of a garment may be adjusted by folding a first area of the garment to face a second area of the garment. For example, a lower area of a cuff or hem or pants leg may be folded over to face an upper area of the pants leg. In block 302, an adhesive that may have been attached to the first or lower area of the pants leg in a prior process, may be activated. Such activation may include for example an application of heat, moisture or pressure. In block 304, the first part of the garment may be secured to the second part of the garment by way of the activated adhesive.

In some embodiments, the adhesive may be covered by for example a protective strip that a user may remove before activation of the adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive may be pre-activated, and the parts of the garment may be attached after exposure of the adhesive with the removal of the strip. In some embodiments, a first adhesive may be used to attach a second adhesive to the first part of the garment, and the second adhesive may be activated to secure the first part of the garment to the second part of the garment. In some embodiments, the first and second parts of the garment may be detached, and further adjusted by reactivating the adhesive with for example another application of heat, pressure or moisture. In some embodiments, a garment may include a length marking, and an adjustment of the garment may follow such marking.

Embodiments of the invention may facilitate a non-expert to perform alterations on a garment. Embodiments of the invention may facilitate a garment to be altered to match the measurements of a wearer without the wearer trying on the garment. Embodiments of the invention may assist a tailor in altering a garment.

In some embodiments, a garment may be sold or marketed with a hem already set to a particular length, where the hem is secured with an adhesive that may be opened and reattached as described in this paper.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit of the invention. 

1. A garment comprising: a first area; a second area; and an adhesive attached to said first area in a first activation of said adhesive; wherein a length of said garment is adjusted by folding said first area to meet said second area, and attaching with said adhesive said first area to said second area in a second activation of said adhesive.
 2. The garment as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive is activated by an application of heat thereto.
 3. The garment as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive is attached to said first area-in a strip on a circumference of said first area.
 4. The garment as in claim 3, wherein said first strip is covered by a shield, said shield removable before said attaching of said first area to said second area.
 5. The garment as in claim 4, wherein an instruction for use of said adhesive is printed on said shield.
 6. The garment as in claim 3, wherein said adhesive comprises a plurality of adhesives, a first of said plurality in said strip that follows said circumference of said first area, and a second of said plurality of adhesives that follows a second circumference of said first area.
 7. The garment as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive comprises an adhesive thread sewn onto said first area.
 8. The garment as in claim 1, wherein said length of said garment may be re-adjusted by detaching said first area from said second area by an application of heat to said adhesive and reattaching said first area to another area with said adhesive by another application of heat.
 9. The garment as in claim 1, comprising a length indicator to measure a length of said garment.
 10. The garment as in claim 1, wherein said first area comprises an end of any of the group consisting of a pants leg, a sleeve, and a dress hem.
 11. A method comprising: adjusting a length of a garment by folding a first area of said garment to face a second area of said garment; activating an adhesive already attached to said first area of said garment in a prior activation of said adhesive; and attaching said first area of said garment to said second area of said garment by way of said adhesive.
 12. The method as in claim 11, wherein said activating comprises applying heat and pressure to said adhesive.
 13. The method as in claim 11, comprising removing a protective shield from said adhesive.
 14. The method as in claim 11, wherein said activating comprises activating a plurality of adhesives, a first of said plurality in a strip that follows a circumference of a first area of said garment, and a second of said plurality of adhesives that follows a second circumference of said first area.
 15. The method as in claim 11, comprising activating a second adhesive, said second adhesive already attached to said first area of said garment by sewing.
 16. The method as in claim 11, comprising re-adjusting said length by detaching said first area from said second area by an application of heat to said adhesive and reattaching with said adhesive said first area to another area by another application of heat.
 17. The method as in claim 1l, comprising measuring a length of said garment on an indicator appearing an inside of said garment.
 18. A garment comprising: a first area; a second area; and a plurality of adhesives attached to said first area; wherein a length of said garment is adjusted by folding said first area to meet said second area, and attaching with an adhesive of said plurality of adhesives said first area to said second area in an activation of said adhesive of said plurality of adhesives.
 19. The garment as in claim 18, comprising a length indicator on an inside of said garment.
 20. The garment as in claim 18, wherein an adhesive of said plurality of adhesives is attached to said first area by sewing. 